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Key Findings

• To function appropriately, ICUs need space (ICU beds), staff (nurses, physicians, and respiratory therapists), and stuff (ventilators). For hospitals and communities to effectively respond to the anticipated surge in the critical care needs for COVID-19 patients, the balance between space, staff, and stuff (i.e., resources) needs to be maximized.
• The overall number of patients who can be cared for is limited by whichever resource is most limited. In the majority of estimates for the United States, ventilators are the limiting factor.
• In a few instances, the number of critical care doctors is the limiting factor, but in no case is the number of nurses, respiratory therapists, or beds the limiting factor.